DAP lawmakers have urged police to release those detained over suspicion of having ties to the long-defunct Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam of Sri Lanka ahead of Deepavali.

They are also concerned about the wellbeing of the three women, whose husbands are locked up under the Security Offences and Special Measure Act (Sosma) 2012.

The wives are on a hunger strike and have camped outside the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman. The women have been sleeping there for four days and have said they won’t leave until their husbands are released.

Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Nga Kor Ming said that after 15 days of detention, police should have completed their investigations.

“As Deepavali is just around the corner, I personally appeal to Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador to complete the police investigation and release the detainees so they can return home to celebrate Deepavali with their families,” Nga said in a statement.

The Teluk Intan MP said detention without trial is against the universal principle of natural justice and any accused is innocent until proven guilty.

“If the police are really convinced there is solid evidence against the detainees, charge them in court. Give them a chance to defend themselves.”

Klang MP Charles Santiago said police should charge the men in an open court or release them immediately.

“Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin repeatedly said they have concrete evidence to detain the 12 men.

“Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division (E8) principal assistant director Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay even said there were large amounts of money moved to revive the LTTE.

“So why hold them under Sosma, an archaic law that allows for detention without trial, which Pakatan Harapan promised to repeal once it came into power?”

Santiago said what’s worse is that Deepavali is two days away and their wives are staging a hunger strike in the pouring rain.

“They are adamant about not moving unless their husbands are freed.

“I watched the video a few times and it breaks my heart to see them sitting on a pavement, demanding justice.” – October 25, 2019.